Case of New Milford man accused of strangling nine-year-old continued

BANTAM >> A New Milford man accused of strangling a nine-year-old boy will have to return to Bantam Superior Court on May 8 after his case was continued Monday.

According to court records, Christopher Nonenmacher, 34, of 27 Jefferson Dr., was watching his girlfriend's son on July 26, 2012 while she was in the hospital being treated for an anxiety attack.

Sworn statements of two witnesses and the victim say that as Nonenmacher sat on the couch while the nine-year-old boy was playing with something on the table, when Nonenmacher stood up and twisted the boy's right arm backwards, causing the boy to scream in pain. Witnesses said Nonenmacher then "punched" the victim in the ribs before momentarily relenting.

Then, say witnesses and the victim in a police affidavit, Nonenmacher began choking the victim, and bit his right ear before letting him go. Nonenmacher is charged with three misdemeanors, including strangulation, and felony risk of injury to a child.

In Nonenmacher's statement to New Milford Police, he said the boy initiated wrestling with Nonenmacher, and that he "took [the victim's] head and told him to stop," after the boy started.

In the same affidavit, police said while Nonenmacher was in custody he was taken to New Milford Hospital to be treated for what Nonenmacher said was an anxiety attack. While at the hospital, police say Nonenmacher told an officer that, "I didn't hurt that kid. If I did he wouldn't be walking. When I hurt people they don't walk."

According to the police affidavit, bruising was evident around the boy's neck and face, behind his right ear, and that there were scratches on the boy's arm.

Nonemacher is free from custody on $2,500 professional surety bond. He was arrested by New Milford police and faces charges of third-degree strangulation, risk of injury to a minor, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.